Charge of the Light Brigade 1854

Lord James Cardigan led a charge of the Light Brigade Cavalry against well-defended Russian artillery during the Crimean War at the Battle of Balaclava. The British were actually winning when Cardigan received orders to attack. His cavalry gallantly charged down the valley and were decimated. They suffered 40% casualties. Later, it was learned that the order was the result of confusion and not given intentionally. Lord Cardigan survived the battle, and was hailed as a national hero in Britain.

Poem: http://poetry.eserver.org/light-brigade.html
Movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027438/

http://www.history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5467
http://pinetreeweb.com/13th-balaclava2.htmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3944699.stm